Tag Archives: small business marketing wichita

New Prudential ad offers insight to help Wichita marketers reach Boomers

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Prudential is running a fantastic ad campaign about planning for the future. It is a hopeful campaign, filled with video and photos of sunrises, including photos taken by actual retirees on the first day of their retirement. I think it offers tremendous insight into how Wichita marketers can reach boomers in more effective ways. In may or may not surprise you to learn that how the wan to feel is more important that what they want.

Images of the sunrise on that first day of your “new life.” What an amazing way to pull viewers emotionally into a place where they are more likely to think seriously about starting to save, plan for retirement, structure an insurance plan or any combination of the services Prudential offers.

In the past few years, I’ve seen commercials that focus on amassing wealth and others that focus on the advertiser having some secret key to planning for the future.

But what this ultra-sensitive commercial says to baby boomers and even more imminent retirees is that Prudential understands that feeling of anticipation, hope and possibility that can be captured in a sunrise. Few things are more beautiful than a sunrise, and when a marketer can tap into the feeling of a single moment that is so loaded with emotion, the goal of capturing the viewer’s attention is nearly always accomplished.

This kind of creative construction can do incredible things to get attention. Then it’s up to digital marketing channels to receive contact with these customers and prospects so the relationship can develop and ongoing communication can occur. For no matter how effective the emotional appeal, their must be a conduit for two-way communication.

Remember, small business marketers, in everything you do, appeal to emotion. And once you have their attention, invite them into a conversation. It’s just that simple.

Small business marketing in Wichita can’t stop for a down economy

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Like many of  you, we at Valé encounter many potential Wichita small business customers who say they don’t have the funds to put toward our particular service. And while we don’t try to “hard sell” these prospects, we are perplexed at how these small business owners expect to grow their revenues without the right blend of promotional strategy.

No matter your business, you must promote.

Take, for example, the clothing retailer who plops down $20 per square foot for prime real estate and stocks the store with thousands of dollars in inventory only to put little or nothing toward promoting the store in the best promotional channels. It’s the small business marketing equivalent of buying a top-of-the-line car and not spending money on gasoline so you can drive it. What’s the use?

A friend of mine has an expression. You’ve probably heard it before: “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.” You might have heard it another way: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.”

Relying solely on old-time methods, such as print, broadcast and the phone book are not going to get it done for your small business. You must have a solid Web site with strong content, a strong social media presence, a smart e-mail marketing campaign and good use of Google and Facebook advertising. A healthy dose of public relations is also in order.

But sitting back and doing nothing? Well, there is a time and a place to avoid spending money. We’re simply advocating spending money in the right way under the guidance of a trusted small business marketing advisor. And if you look at the strategies mentioned above, you’ll see that they’re much less expensive than the ones you’ve used in the past. And more effective.

Wichita Small Business Owners: Here Are Some Productive Things To Do When You’re Not Busy

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Top 10 Things To Do When You’re Not Busy

When you’re a small business owner, there are some rare moments when you’re not busy doing your job, or several jobs, or someone else’s job. So, when you’re not up to your “you-know-what” in alligators, here are 10 small business tips for things you can do to improve your small business marketing, management and financial prowess. You might even discover some ways to save or make some money for your small business. Heck, everyone needs some time to stare at the proverbial belly button.

small business management

Small business thinking time is fun!

So, here they are:

1. Read an online article or blog post about something that will improve your business.
2. Call some customers you haven’t seen in awhile.
3. Take a nap.
4. Work on your social network. Work the phone and your Facebook page.
5. Walk around the shop or office and connect with your employees and teammates.
6. Revisit your three-year strategic plan.
7. Call a supplier contact and pick his or her brain on industry trends.
8. Make a list of three things that will make you a better small business owner.
9. Take some time off and spend it with your family or other special people.
10. Try to find ways to save $500 per month in your business.

Valé To Host Youth Entrepreneurs For Wichita Summer Small Business Marketing Internships

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Too often we call our youth, “the future.”

Not at Valé. We believe the youth are getting it done right now. And we want them on our team.

We are excited to welcome alumni of Youth Entrepreneurs Kansas (look for details soon), to be involved with us in our own entrepreneurial pursuits.

Check out this video for details!

Vale’ from Youth Entrepreneurs on Vimeo.